anticlimax

an·ti·cli·max

1. A decline viewed in disappointing contrast with a previous rise: the anticlimax of a brilliant career.

2. Something trivial or commonplace that concludes a series of significant events: After a week of dramatic negotiations, all that followed was anticlimax.

3. A sudden change in speaking or writing from the impressive or significant to the ludicrous or inconsequential, or an instance of this, as in "He has seen the ravages of war, he has known natural catastrophes, he has been to singles bars"(Woody Allen).

an′ti·cli·mac′tic(-klī-măk′tĭk) adj.

an′ti·cli·mac′ti·cal·ly adv.

anticlimax

(ˌæntɪˈklaɪmæks)

n

1. a disappointing or ineffective conclusion to a series of events, etc

2. a sudden change from a serious subject to one that is disappointing or ludicrous

3. (Rhetoric) rhetoric a descent in discourse from the significant or important to the trivial, inconsequential, etc

anticlimactic, anticlimacticaladj

ˌanticliˈmacticallyadv

an•ti•cli•max

(ˌæn tiˈklaɪ mæks, ˌæn taɪ-)

n.

1. an event, conclusion, statement, etc., that is far less important, powerful, or striking than expected.

2. a descent in power, quality, or dignity; a disappointing, weak, or inglorious conclusion.

3. a noticeable or ludicrous descent from lofty ideas or expressions to banalities or commonplace remarks.

All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.